Sloppy power steering in John Deere 730

BillBruening

New User
I have a John Deere 730 with power steering. The steering wheel has 90 degrees for free play, this the case if the tractor is running or engine off. I pulled steering worm and the steering sleeve and the woodward key is in, and appears to fit correctly in the steering worm. Can anyone help with this problem?
 

Does the power steering work even with all that play?

Have you determined FOR SURE that the play is all in the mechanism between the steering actuator sleeve and the worm?

If that is the case I don't see how the power steering could work at all?



If this is NOT a "narrow front" tractor have you verified the steering arm is tightly attached to the vertical shaft in the pedestal?
 
(quoted from post at 14:25:49 05/22/22)
Does the power steering work even with all that play?

Have you determined FOR SURE that the play is all in the mechanism between the steering actuator sleeve and the worm?

If that is the case I don't see how the power steering could work at all?

It is a wide front end. First of all I will admint I am a novice at this. While fixing a lot of equipment on the farm as a youth, this John Deere Power Steering is a different animal. I obtained an old IT shop repair manual and have read about adjusting the shims in front of the worm mechanise and adjusting the worm helix. While I do not have the tools for measuring the backlash, I have adjusted the endplay for the steering worm and actuating sleeve assembly. There are not tight, but the end play is VERY SMALL. (Specifications are (.001-.0004) & (.0015-.0025)) After adjusting the centering valve housing, I would say that I have very good power steering, if it were not for the 90 degree slop in the steering wheel. I am stumped

If this is NOT a "narrow front" tractor have you verified the steering arm is tightly attached to the vertical shaft in the pedestal?
I have just checked and the steering arm are in tightly attached to vertical shaft in the pedestal with 4 bolts
 
(quoted from post at 15:06:28 05/22/22) As this is a 30 series, how much play is in the u joint below the dash?

I would assess the u-joints as being in very good condition. The tractor has only 2200 hours on its, and it appears that not of the hours were heavy use. I just not not see much wear in any part of the tractor
 
(quoted from post at 16:18:49 05/22/22)
(quoted from post at 14:25:49 05/22/22)
Does the power steering work even with all that play?

Have you determined FOR SURE that the play is all in the mechanism between the steering actuator sleeve and the worm?

If that is the case I don't see how the power steering could work at all?

It is a wide front end. First of all I will admint I am a novice at this. While fixing a lot of equipment on the farm as a youth, this John Deere Power Steering is a different animal. I obtained an old IT shop repair manual and have read about adjusting the shims in front of the worm mechanise and adjusting the worm helix. While I do not have the tools for measuring the backlash, I have adjusted the endplay for the steering worm and actuating sleeve assembly. There are not tight, but the end play is VERY SMALL. (Specifications are (.001-.0004) & (.0015-.0025)) After adjusting the centering valve housing, I would say that I have very good power steering, if it were not for the 90 degree slop in the steering wheel. I am stumped

I did little test, so I removed the screw plug so I could see the worm. I had someone turn the steering wheel 90 degrees and I could see the worm gear also rotating 90 degrees. I do not know if this helps, but I wanted to bring as much infomation as I can to approach this problem

If this is NOT a "narrow front" tractor have you verified the steering arm is tightly attached to the vertical shaft in the pedestal?
I have just checked and the steering arm are in tightly attached to vertical shaft in the pedestal with 4 bolts
 
I have seen that gear have as many as four shims and as little as none, certainly could be the problem.


cvphoto126374.jpg


cvphoto126375.jpg
 
On my 80, the steering gear wasn't tightened to the vertical shaft properly, causing a LOT of slop when I was trying to drive in a straight line.

They even had the cotter pin in place, just didn't tighten the nut!

Brandon
 
(quoted from post at 16:18:49 05/22/22)
(quoted from post at 14:25:49 05/22/22)
Does the power steering work even with all that play?

Have you determined FOR SURE that the play is all in the mechanism between the steering actuator sleeve and the worm?

If that is the case I don't see how the power steering could work at all?

It is a wide front end. First of all I will admit I am a novice at this. While fixing a lot of equipment on the farm as a youth, this John Deere Power Steering is a different animal. I obtained an old IT shop repair manual and have read about adjusting the shims in front of the worm mechanise and adjusting the worm helix. While I do not have the tools for measuring the backlash, I have adjusted the endplay for the steering worm and actuating sleeve assembly. There are not tight, but the end play is VERY SMALL. (Specifications are (.001-.0004) & (.0015-.0025)) After adjusting the centering valve housing, I would say that I have very good power steering, if it were not for the 90 degree slop in the steering wheel. I am stumped


If this is NOT a "narrow front" tractor have you verified the steering arm is tightly attached to the vertical shaft in the pedestal?
I have just checked and the steering arm are in tightly attached to vertical shaft in the pedestal with 4 bolts



SOLVED: Thank you for all the ideas: I checked the 4 bolts on the pedestal and they were loose. Everything works great!


This post was edited by BillBruening on 05/28/2022 at 02:50 am.
 

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